GoRV - Digital Magazine Issue #53 | Page 46

GET YOUR RV IN TOP SHAPE
An important way to get your fuel budget down is to get your RV operating at maximum efficiency . This is also an important safety consideration because your vehicle will be much better looked after and far less likely to break down or give out on you while on the road . Before you hit the road , make sure you pay special attention to anything that can impact fuel consumption .
The most important area to look at is your engine and ensuring that it works properly . Then , check the oil to ensure the levels are adequate and that the oil is clean . Finally , small details , such as tyre pressure and any preventable drag from the cabin , should be monitored . These can all reduce performance enough to make sure you don ’ t get as far as you should on each tank of fuel .
FUEL STATION RESEARCH
The price of petrol and diesel is not the same at every station . It ’ s a lot cheaper to fill up away from city centres than it is in any metropolis .
Your best bet will be to plan your fill-ups when you are out in the smaller towns along your route . However , it ’ s essential that you know where those stations are and how far it is between them . It would be a disaster to run out of fuel before you get to your next stop , or to arrive at a small town and find that they have no suitable fuel for you . Always plan to have a back-up station for filling up .
Another factor to look at in the planning phase is whether or not you can get any rewards or discounts at a particular station or garage brand . Plenty of stations offer loyalty programs or you can get discount vouchers through retailers like Coles and Woolworths . These will help you spend less on your overall fuel budget . Depending on the discount you get , it might be worth driving a little out of your way to fill up .
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